Effect of partial hepatectomy on experimental liver invasion by intraportally injected colon carcinoma cells in rats.

Abstract

Two-third hepatectomy or sham operation was performed in BD IX rats immediately after intraportal injection of colon adenocarcinoma cells of the DHD-K12-TR strain. A dramatic increase in the incidence and growth of tumor cell colonies formed in the liver was observed in the partially hepatectomized as compared to sham-operated animals. Tumors formed in these conditions, developed in the liver parenchyma within less than 2 weeks and were macroscopically detectable at 1 month, without dissemination to other organs at this time and with little alteration of structural morphology of the liver. The model is particularly adequate for therapeutic assay on liver metastases, as, contrary to other models, it does not involve any drug that might interfere in the evaluation. The mechanism whereby partial hepatectomy is acting to enhance tumor take and growth is still unclear. A similar positive effect of hepatectomy on the growth of adenocarcinoma cells when these were grafted in female accessory glands excludes a simple mechanical cause and suggests the involvement of a circulating factor.